I believe it is a lesser plucking, not just the bud like Yin Zhen, silver needle. There is much more of this grade floating around. Laws of supply and demand dictate pricing. Silver needle is rarer and much more in demand.

Even w/in bai mutan there are many grade and varieties. Mutan white is an even lesser grade I think than Bai Mutan. But it is a good cheap everyday alternative to silver needles, however does not really compare to the sublime silver needle experience.

I get Silver needles maybe once a year, around 50 grams, that is enough for me. It keeps the experience special!

Interestingly, I have seen several vendors offer both Mutan white and Bai mutan. So, there could be some confusion about nomenclature amoung vendors. (or in my own understanding of their offerings)

Today with the surging popularity amoung white tea enthusiasts, a whole new array of white teas are being offered from China. I had a bunch several years ago from Upton, that was quite amazing.

Mary, Bai hao is a locale isn't it? I heard that Fuding Yin Zhen another silver needle from simply another locale. So, I guess I am asking, is the Yin Zhen one of the traditional 4...or is it Bai Hao Yin Zhen?

My Chinese is non existent, but I was under the impression that bai hao simply meant white hair. I think only Fujian is traditionally called bai hao, because that's the place white tea originated from Yunnans and others often omit that part.

That's what I'm pulling from the top of my head. I haven't the time to research it at the moment.

Oh, and the Mutan/Mudan thing...I tend to see Fujian teas spelled with the d, others with the t. But I should research that too.

Bai Hao, aka Oriental Beauty, is a Taiwanese oolong. I have heard it in reference to silver needle though, I just don't know why it's used. Also, I don't think "Bai Hao" is a translation of Oriental Beauty, but I don't know the translation either. So, basically, I'm of no help whatsoever.

Silver Needle is, if nothing else, the quintessential 'white tip.' I think Oriental Beauty picked up that name because it's fairly unique among oolongs for also having some silvery, tippy bits. The OB is a beautiful tea, really, with all the silvers, greens, and browns. One of my favorites.

Unlike what I noted earlier, the different spellings into English largely depend on the translator, not the region of the tea. However, it does seem that translators from certain areas seem to spell things more alike than two from different regions.

But what do I know...Asian languages will be an eternal mystery to me.

I am without a doubt rishi fan....love their white tea....I have been using it for about 4 years. My last batch was exceptionally nice when inquired I was informed that they replaced their existing white tea with a higher grade of white tea....
Long live rishi !

scruffmcgruff wrote:Bai Hao, aka Oriental Beauty, is a Taiwanese oolong. I have heard it in reference to silver needle though, I just don't know why it's used. Also, I don't think "Bai Hao" is a translation of Oriental Beauty, but I don't know the translation either. So, basically, I'm of no help whatsoever.

Oriental Beauty is Dong Fang Mei Ren, and that's Taiwanese tea. It is also called Bai Hao Oolong, Xiang Bin Oolong but its original name was Fu Shou.